Waterproof cap and fuse



Oct. 11',` 1927.

J. B. FLETCHER ET AL WATERPROOF CAP AND FUSE Filed Nov. 25, 1925 gnvemow 6. m

i @w f @M Patented Oct. l1, 1927.

Josnrrrr. FLETCHER; or Pnn'sco'r'fr',

WATERPROOF CAP AND FUSE.

Application led November This. invention rela-tes to Waterproof cap and fuse constructions and comprises all im-I provements over the prior art which are dis`- closed in this application. Some ObjectsV are to provide a ivaytowaterproofraps and fuses so they can be submerged in water for an unusually long time Without harm'. Also so that the fuse can be given the abrupt bend necessary When the explosive with the attaclaied; cap and fuse is loaded into a hole Without the bendbeingliable" to be affected by.v Water or to blofivoutdue to cracking, and that these characteristicsashall be maintained for a considerable length of time. Y

Thel above, and other objects which ,will hereinafter appear, are attained by improvementsjen'i'bodying newai'ijdus'eful features disclosed inuthisf application- To enable others skilled in the art to fully comprehend 'the essential features of the improvements, drawings illustrating a preferred form have been annexed a part of this disclosure.

F 1 is a longitudinal'sectional view of a hole in 'the act of being loaded With eXplosive containing cap and fuse.

Fig. 2 is a side View of the capand fuse in position to be inserted into its protective shell.

Fig. 3 is a partial sectional side view showing the cap and fuse inserted in its protective shell and with the rubber cement applied.

Fig, 4 is a side view of a modified construction in which a rubber cement coating is used- Without any protective covering.

Fig. 5 is a side ,view of a modified construction in which the protective covering' consists of fabric applied over a cement coating.

The particular embodiment of thf` inveir tion which is herein disclosed for illustrative purposes is applied to a standard cap 1 of copper which contains the detonatiug' material, and a powder fuse 2 secured Within the cap 1 at 3. A priming coat of cement is preferably applied beginning at a point 4l. on the cap 1 extending` along fuse 2 for a distance lof several inches or more. A protector is provided in the form of a slip over shell 6 preferably of thin copper. The part 7 of the shell is just large enough to freely slip over cap 1. lVith Washers 5 preferably of rubber in position as shown in Fig. 2, the cap 1 is dipped in rubber cement adapted to form a protective coating, and some of this 25, 1925. Serial No. 71,371.

rubber cementis also put in shell 6. Then cap .1 Visinserted into shell 6 whereupon the major portion: of the cement in part 7 is forced; back into enlarged extension 8 as in-' ble to brealr the cement Where the out-er end of enlargement 8 joins coating 10. lVash ers; v5 also. aid to make it certain that Water Will not reach to Where the cap. and. fuse are connected together.

Fig. el illustrates a modified construction in which the protection is obtained by a. heavy coating of rubber cement 12 rendered non-sticky by mica dust or the like. Fig. 5 is a modified construction in which a protective cement coating is covered With a Winding of fabric o1 tape 13.

The priming coat preferably consists of materials proportioned as follows: 5 ozs. balata gum dissolved in 1 gal. naphtha to which is added 3@ lb. powdered rosin (preferably pale for its quality). To this is added 5 oZs. gutta percha dissolved in 1/2 gal. carbon bisulphide. This results in a very quick drying non-penetrating cement which is very desirable as a first or priming coat, since other cements sometimes penetrate the asphaltum compounds used in the fuse, sufficiently to cause a delayed fire which is frequently as disastrous as a missed fire since a round of holes must be timed correctly.

The main protective coat may consist of vulcanizing rubber cement or 1 lb. of unvulcanized rubber dissolved in 1 qt. of benzine or bcnzol. lVhere excessively strong acids in Water such as arsenic sulphuric and others are to be encountered, We preferably incorporate in the main protective cement, 11/2 drams sulphur chloride, 1 pt. carbon bisulphide, and 3 drams hydrochloric acid. The primary feature that must be possessed by the main protect-ive coatl is that it shall readily bend and stretch in a manner sufficiently similar to rubber that When the fuse is given an abrupt bend as at 14 in Fig. 1 the coat will not crack so that the fuse will not blow out or be affected by Water. Fig. l illustrates dynamite cartridge l5, cap l and fuse 2 placed in hole 16 by means of loading stick 17.

Caps and fuses treated as herein disclosed by us, remain in perfect condition for a year or more and remain absolutely Water proof While submerged in Water for 4S hours or more. Y y

Such variations as employ the generic or specific essentials of the herein disclosed improvements overthe prior art, are intended to be comprehended Within the meaning and range yot equivalency of the following claims.

Ne claim:

l. A Waterproof cap and fuse comprising, a cap and fuse connected together and hav,- ing a covering at, and extending in` both directions beyond, the cap and fuse connection, said covering comprising a closely adhering coating of rubber cement, and a substantial length of said covering being free to be given an abrupt bend.

2. The device set forth in claim l in Which the cement coating extends along the fuse for a distance of several inches from the cap and fuse connection.

3. Awaterproof cap and fuse comprising, a cap and fuse connected together and having a covering at, and extending in both d1- yrections beyond, the cap and fuse connection, said covering comprising a closely adhering coating of rubber cement, and a protective covering applied over the cement at and adjacent both sides of said cap and fuse connection, Ysaid protective covering comprising a slip over shell With an enlarged extension near the region of said cap and fuse connection and With one or more Wasners Within said enlarged extension and surrounding said fuse.

4f. The method of making a Waterproof cap and fusecomprising, applying a non# penetrative priming coat of cement `at and for a distance in both directions beyond, the cap and fuse connection, and subsequently applying a main protective coat of rubber cement over said priming coat.

5. A Waterproof cap and fuse comprising a hydrochloric acid and sulphur chloride containing rubber cement at and for a distance beyond the cap and fuse connection.

JOSEPH B. FLETCHER. ORIN S. CULVER. 

